Wabash County deputy serving warrant shoots 51-year-old carrying airsoft gun
WABASH, Ind. (WISH) – An investigation is underway after a deputy shot and injured a 51-year-old man, according to the Indiana State Police.
ISP said that around 8:30 p.m., deputies from the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department attempted to serve a search warrant at an apartment in the 300 block of West Maple Street in Wabash, Indiana.
Police said that after making entry into the apartment, a deputy reportedly spotted a 51-year-old man with what appeared to be a handgun. State police identified the gun as “a realistic replica airsoft handgun” that had no orange tip. Airsoft guns shoot nonmetallic spherical projectiles. In the United States, federal law states that airsoft guns are not firearms and are legal for all ages.
A deputy fired at least one shot, hitting and injuring the man, according to state police.
The 51-year-old was taken to a Fort Wayne hospital. He was stable and expected to survive his injuries.
Members from both the Wabash Police Department and Wabash County Sheriff’s Department assisted with the search warrant.
News release
“Wabash – Detectives from the Indiana State Police are conducting an ongoing investigation into a police officer-involved shooting, in which a 51-year-old man suffered at least one gunshot wound.
“The ongoing investigation has revealed that officers from the Wabash Police Department and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department were serving a search warrant, as part of a narcotics investigation, on 309 West Maple Street, Apt. 3, Wabash, IN. Officers repeatedly announced their presence and that they were there to serve a search warrant.
“There was no answer at the door. Officers then breached the front door. Before making entry into the residence, officers purportedly observed a 51-year-old man holding what appeared to be a handgun. Officers gave multiple commands for the man to drop the gun. He failed to comply. A deputy with the Wabash County Sherriff’s Department fired multiple shots from his department-issued handgun, striking the 51-year-old man at least once.
“The 51-year-old man was transported to a Ft Wayne hospital. He is currently in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.
“Further investigation revealed that the gun that the 51-year-old man was holding was a realistic replica airsoft handgun. There was no orange tip, and the muzzle has the same diameter and shape as a real handgun.
“This is an ongoing investigation. No further information will be released at this time.”
Indiana State Police news release issued about 3:30 p.m. Nov. 24, 2021